Sheet handling apparatus



Jan- 8, 1952 c. E. PARKER SHEET HANDLING APPARATUS 6 .Sheets-Sheet l Filed Deo. l, 1944 nes/vrai few M7( l qm Jan. 8, 1952 C. PARKER 2,581,598

SHEET HANDLING epms Filed nec. 1, 1944 e sheets-sheet 2 n LNE INVENTOR. Cna/:Nc: PAE/ 52 BY 4i@ www@ HTToR/VD'J Jan. 8, 1952 E. PARKER v 2,581,598

SHEET HANDLING PI-XISRISTUSl Filed De. l, 1944 6 Sheets-Shui;

IN1/EN TOR. CZnes/Ycf Pme/ 52 Jan. 8, 1952 c. E. PARKER SHEET HANDLINGPPARATUS f5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec.

INVENToR. A/eE/vca Fae/5e ai@ Wymm@ 9770/? NEU Jan. 8, 1952 c. E. PARKER SHEET vIPIAIDLJENG 4.IPPARA'I'US 6 SheetsSheet 5 Filed Dec. l, 1944 INVENToR. mes/vea TPH/2K5@ Jan. 8, 1952 c. E. PARKER v2,581,598

SHEET' HANDLING APPARATUS Filed Dec. l, 1944 v5 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. nef/Ycf PQE/ase BY firme/v5 yf Patented Jan. 8, 1952 SHEET HANDLING APPARATUS Clarence E. Parker, Painesville, Ohio, assgnor to The Coe Manufacturing Company, Painesville, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application December 1, 1944, Serial No. 566,060

Claims. 1

The present invention relates to apparatus for handling relatively large sheets of fairly rigid material, such as, plasterboards and the like.

Plasterboard is usually manufactured in long lengths on plasterboard machines and while still wet cut into smaller sizes, after which the sheets are fed into a multiple deck drier, etc., for further processing. During manufacture, one surface of the sheet is ordinarily finished more than the other surface and when the plasterboards are discharged from the drier or other apparatus, the finished surfaces are usually placed together prior to further handling so as to prevent the finished surfaces from becoming marred or dirty, etc.

Heretofore plasterboards were unloaded from the multiple deck driers or other apparatus by hand and when it was desired to place finished surfaces together, the unloaders or operators turned alternate boards as they unloaded the apparatus. This method of unloading multiple deck apparatus and/or placing finished surfaces together by hand involves considerable labor and is quite expensive, and the principal object of the present invention is the provision of a novel and improved automatic apparatus for unloading plasterboard or the like from a multiple deck drier or other multiple deck apparatus and delivering the same in a predetermined manner at a desired location, which apparatus may or may not include mechanism for turning alternate boards so as to place finished surfaces together.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel and improved apparatus for handling plasterboards or the like, which apparatus will receive plasterboards delivered thereto in a predetermined manner and automatically transfer the same to a desired location and turn alternate boards as they are transferred from one place to another. Y

The invention resides in certain constructions and combinations and arrangements of parts-and further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates from the following description of the preferred embodiment described with reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of plasterboard handling or unloading apparatus embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1; v

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side view of the drive section of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, with portions broken away or omitted for clearness;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view approximately on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3, with portions broken away for clearness;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary View of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged plan view of the discharge table and transfer section of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 6, with portions broken away or omitted for clearness;

Fig. 8 is an end view of the apparatus shown in Figs. 6 and '7;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 6;

Fig. l0 is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. '7;

Fig. u11 is anV enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 8;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view approximately on the line |2-I2, Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary View of part of the mechanism shown in Figs. 11 and 12; and

Fig. 14 is a wiring diagram of the electrical control circuits of the apparatus.

Although the present invention is applicable to the manufacture of various articles, it is especially useful in the manufacture of plasterboard and is herein shown as embodied' in an apparatus for unloading multiple deck equipment used in manufacturing plasterboard and, more specifically, in apparatus for unloading a multiple deck plasterboard drier.

Generally speaking, the apparatus shown comprises unloading apparatus consisting of the drive section A and the conveying section B adapted to receive plasterboard from a multiple deck apparatus and'deliver it in sequence to transfer apparatus comprising a combination discharge table and transfer section C adapted to receive plasterboard delivered thereto by the unloading apparatus and transfer the same to a desired location. In the embodiment shown, the boards are transferred to a taping machine where they are prepared for further handling. During their transfer to the taping machine, alternate boards are turned to bring the finished surfaces face to face. It is to be understood, however, that the invention contemplates that either the unloading apparatus or the transfer apparatus may be used separately or inV combination with apparatus other than that shown, if desired.

While plasterboard may be manufactured in any suitable width or length, itis usually manu- 3 factured in 24, 30, 36, 42", and 48" Widths and in lengths of 6', 8', 10' and i2. Two or more plasterboards are usually caused to move simultaneously side by side through the various decks of the apparatus and this is the fact with regard to the apparatus shown.' In the present instance the plasterboards are delivered to the drive section A of the unloading apparatus proper from a continuous drier, not shown, but whichy it is desired to unload, by a multiple deck gravity roll section D of conventional construction interposed between the drier and the drive section A. vThe drier is preferably loaded by a vtipple`loader, from which it follows that the boards enter the various decks of the drier and, in turn, the Vdrive section in a predetermined order. For the purposes of the present disclosure, it will be assumed that the boards are traveling at about eight feet per minute as they enter the drive section and enter the various decks at about two foot intervals beginning with the top deck.

The drive section A comprises a plurality of decks, one for each of the decks of the drier and gravity 'roll section D. The decks of the drive section A and the conveying section B are, in effect, continuations of the decks of the gravity roll section D and are herein referred to as a, b, c, d, e and f commencing at the top of the machine. The decks are all duplicates and on the drawings the corresponding parts of the respective decks are indicated by the same reference character with the appropriate deck letter 'affixed thereto.

Each deck comprises ve bottom rolls Ill, t I I2, I3 and I4, the opposite ends of which are r0- tatably supported by anti-friction bearings contained in brackets I5 bolted to the upstanding flanges of angle irons I 6 located at opposite sides of the drive section and extending longitudinally of the path of movement of material through the same. The angle irons I6 constitute a part of the frame of the device and are connected` at their opposite ends to corner posts in the form of I- beams I1, I 8, 20, 2|, which corner posts also are a part of the frame. In addition to the bottomrrolls i ported in bearing brackets 43 bolted or otherwise secured to a vertically extending angle iron .44 forming a part of the frame, the opposite ends of which angle iron are connected to the longitudinal frame members 4I 42 by transversely extending Vangle irons 46, 41 and triangularlyshaped plates 50, 5I located adjacent to the top and bottom of the frame, respectively.

y The clutches34 are actuated vina manner'hereinafter specifically described to selectively rotate the shafts 31 and, in turn, drive the rolls of the respective decks. The shafts 31 are connected by sprocket chain drives 52 to the rolls I4 of the respective decks driven thereby. Each of the rolls I4 is, in turn, connected by a sprocket chain `drive 53y to the vrolls I, Ii, I2 and I3 and to a referred to, keach deck comprises a top roll 22 rotatably supported by anti-friction bearings in bearing brackets 23 connected to the angle irons I6 of the deck immediately above. In the case of the top deck, the bearing brackets 23 for the top rolls 22 are connected to the left-handend of the side top angle iron 24 of the frame of the conveying section B. The top roll 22 cooperates with the bottom roll I4 to form a set of pinch rolls.

The rolls of the respective decks are adapted to be intermittently driven from the electric motor 25, see Figs. 1 and 2xed to the top of the frame of the drive section and connected to a variable speed transmission 26 by a sprocket chain drive 21. The driving shaft of the variable speed transmission is connected by a sprocket chain drive 30 to a short shaft 3I rotatably supported in bearing brackets 32 xed to the top of the frame of the drive section and which shaft is, in turn, connected to the driven element 33 of a friction clutch 34 by a sprocket vchain drive 35. The driven member 33 of the friction clutch 34 is rotatably supported 'by a bearing 36 which prevents endwise movement thereof and a horizontal shaft 31, upon which shaft the other element 38 of the clutch is slidably keyed. The bearings 36 are connected to a vertically extending angle iron 4i) bolted to the top and bottom longitudinal frame members 4I and 42. The outer 'ends of the shafts 31 are rotatably supshort shaftv54 rotatably supported in a bearing bracket 55 connected to the angle iron It of the deck immediately above. in the case of the top deck, the bearing bracket 55 is connected to the left-hand end of the angle iron 274 of the conveying section. The upper reaches ofthe sprocket chains of the drives 53 engage sprocket wheels 5S, 51, 58, 5S and 60 connected to the rolls I3, II, I2, I3 and I4, respectively, by one-waydriving clutches, designated generally asv 3i, and which may be of any commercial design so long as they permit the rolls associated therewith to overrun in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3, vIn addition to engaging the sprocket wheels 56 to E0, the upper reaches of the sprocket chains of the sprocket chain drives 53 mesh withnsprocket wheels 6,2 xed to the outer ends of the shafts 54 and the lower reaches of the chains pass about idler sprockets 63, rotatably supported by the angle irons IE intermediate the sprockets, 51,

and 59, y52, respectively. The top rolls 2 2 are driven from the shafts 54 by sprocket chain drives 64. f

The driven members 33 of the clutches 34 are continuously connected to the driven member 33 of the clutch 34 of the deck immediately below by a sprocket chain drive 65, the driven sprocket 66 of which is fixed to and forms a part of the driven member 33 of the clutch for the deck above. The successive decks are driven by the drives B5 and the extra sprocket on the member 33 of the lower deck is connected by a sprocket chain drive 61 to a transversely extending shaft 'B8 of the conveying section.

Without further description, it will be .apparent that when the motor 25 is operating, all of the driven elements of the'friction` clutches for the various decks and the shaft 68 of the conveying section B vwill be continuously driven and that the rollers of the various decks can be selectively rotated in a clockwise'direction, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 3, by engaging the friction clutches selectively. As shown, the friction clutches 34 are adapted to be selectively engaged and disengaged by double-acting uid pressure motors 10, the piston rods 1I of which are connected to the lefthand ends of levers 12 pivotally' connected to members 13 welded tothe vertical angle iron 44 of the frame of the machine. The uid pressure motors 13 are carried by a vertical channel 14 connected to the longitudinal frame members 4I, 42. The motors 1B are air-operated and the admission and exit of air to the opposite sides of the pitmans are controlled by pairs of solenoidoperated valves, of which there are two for each motor. The energization of the solenoids 11 and 13 of the valves 19, 86 of each motorare controlled by relays 8|, the operating `coils 82 of which are connected in series with normally open assises switches 83 fixed to the corner post |8,.the operating arms of which switches are connected by links 84 to levers 85 xed to rods 86 projecting from the ends of transversely extending shafts 81 and through the medium of which rods the front endsof the shafts 81 are pivotally supported in the angle irons I6 of the deck immediately above, or, in the case of the top deck, in the left-hand end of the angle iron 24 of the conveying section. The rear ends of the shafts 81 are supported in a similar manner. The shafts 81 are provided with a plurality of downwardly extending arms 88, the lower ends of which are-adapted to project into the path of plasterboard moving through the deck immediately below.

As a plasterboard is delivered to one of the decks of the drive section from the gravity roll section D,'it will coast down the rolls |0, I2 and |3 until the front end engages the pinch rolls I4, 22, which pinch rolls are normally stationary at the time. Immediately prior to engaging the pinch rolls I4, 22, the front end of the plasterboard engages one of the arms 88 and rotates the shaft 81 to close the normally open contacts of the switch 83. Whether or not the friction clutch 34 of the particular deck referred to operates upon the closing of the normally open contacts of the switch 83, depends upon whether or not a plasterboard previously discharged from the drive section A has reached a predetermined position, as will be hereinafter more specically pointed out. Assuming that the closing of the switch 83 connects the solenoids 11, 18 with a source of electric current, the fluid pressure motor will be actuated to engage the friction clutch 34 and rotate the rolls of the deck in a direction to move the plasterboard forwardly and feed the same into the conveying section B. The speed at which the rolls of the drive section are driven is preferably such that the plasterboards are discharged from the drive section at a speed which is at least as many times greater than the speed at which they are delivered to the drive section as there are decks. This variation in speed permits the plasterboards which are fed to the various decks of the drive section more or less continuously to be delivered successively at a predetermined point and at predetermined intervals.

The conveying section B of the delivery apparatus comprises an endless belt or, more speciflcally, a plurality of endless belts 90 encircling pulleys 9| fixed to the shaft 68 located at the left-hand lower corner of the conveying section and similar pulleys 92 carried by a shaft 93 located at the opposite end of the conveying section. The shafts 88 and 93 are rotatably supported in suitable bearing brackets 94, 95, respectively, connected to opposite ends of the frame of the conveying section. The right-hand shaft 93 is raised above the level of the lefthand shaft 61, with the result that the upper reach of the belt-s 90 is inclined upwardly. The shaft 68'is driven in such a manner that the pulleys 9| carried thereby rotate in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 3, with the result that when a plasterboard is discharged upon the belts 90, it moves in an upward direction and towards the right.v

In the embodiment shown, the right-hand end of the frame of the conveying section is supported upon the left-hand end of the combination discharge table and transfer section C. 'It isrto be understood. however, that other means may be provided for supporting the right-,hand

. end of the conveying, section and that the belts A9I| may discharge the plasterboards on any suitable device other than the discharge table shown and hereinafter specifically described, such as, a different type of discharge table, or, another conveyor,'etc. The upper reaches of the belts 90 are supported by idler rolls |00, |0|, |02, |03, |04 and |05 extending underneath the belts and rotatably supported by bearing brackets connected to the side bottom angle |01 of the frame of the conveying section. The lower reach of the belt is supported by idler rolls |l0, located underneath the belt and rotatably supported by bearing brackets connected to the side bottom angle iron |01.

The conveying section includes a plurality of decks formed by idle free running rolls I3, which decks extend between the decks of the drive section and the continuous conveyor formed by the endless belts 90. The decks of the conveying section are, in effect, continuations of the decks of the drive section and in view of the fact that the continuous conveyor formed by the belts is inclined upwardly, the decks of the conveying section terminate at different points alongI the belts 90. In fact, the lower deck discharges directly upon the belts 90. The idle free running rolls I3 are rotatably supported by bearing brackets ||4 connected to longitudinally extending angle irons |5 bolted or otherwise fixed to the vertical channels ||6 of the frame of the conveying section, which channels are, in turn, connected to the upper and lower side angle irons 24 and |01, respectively.

As shown, the top roll 22a and the shaft 54a, etc., are connected to an extension of the top angle iron 24 of the conveying section and the front and rear angle irons ||5 are connected to the corner posts I8, 20, r-espectively. To this eX- tent the drive and conveying sections are formed integral and may be considered a single machine. It will be apparent, however, that the twogsections may be formed entirely separate and driven by individual motors, in which event the conveying section is merely constructed so that it can be placed at the discharge end of the drive section with the respective decks of the drive and conveying sections aligning with each other. y

As previously suggested, the rolls of the respective decks of the drive section are selectively driven, with the result that the plasterboards being handled are discharged in sequence from the drive section. This is accomplished by so constructing and interlocking the control circuits for the solenoids 11 and 18 of the respective decks, see wiring diagram, that when one of the switches 83 has been actuated and the solenoid associated therewith energized, a holding or maintaining circuit is established by the normally open bottom contacts of the relay 8| associated therewith which maintains the relay energized until the plasterboard discharged from the section reaches a predetermined position. As shown, the holding circuit is broken by the opening of a normally closed set of contacts of a time delay relay |2|, the operating solenoid |22 of which is connected in series with a pair of series connected normally open switches |23, |24 carried by an angle iron |25 located at the right-hand end of the combination discharge table and transfer section C. The operating arms of the switches |23, |24 are extended to the left of the angle iron where they are adapted to be engaged by plasterboards reaching the end of the combination discharge table and transfer section, Vwith the result that the holding circuit is maintained and the following deck'of the drive section retained in the drive sectionfuntil the plasterboards previously discharged reach the end of the table. i

The various rolls of the drive and conveyor section shown are eight feet and eight inches long, from which it follows that the 'apparatus can handle in each decl; simultaneously either twoV plasterboards 36 or 48- wide; three plasterboards 32" wide; or, four plasterooards 245 wide, see 8.- Only Vtwo series connected switches'', i213 are employed in the present in.- stance because two switches have been found adequate regardless of the number of rows of :plasteru boards'going through the machine.' Obviously one or more switches may be employed, as desired. In the event that one or more of the boards stop short of the switches |23, |24,'a manually operated switch v42e` in parallel circuit therewith provides means for energizing the operating solenoid |22 of the time delay relay and, in turn, opening the normally closed contacts thereof.l Alternatively, the time delay relay |2| which is used in the present instance for a'purpose which will be hereinafter referred to may be omitted and a normally closed switch substituted for the contacts |20 of the time delay relay, which switch may be placed at any desired point in the 4path vof the plasterboards, as at the end of the endless conveyor Se.

`While it i5 to be understood that the unloading apparatus comprising the drive and conveying sections described above may be used with any type of discharge table or the like, 'the conveying Asection preferably discharges the plasterboards ,uh-On the combination discharge table and trans.- fer section shown, which is especially designed to transfer the plasterboards to a taping machine and ,turn alternate boards. The combination discharge table Vand transfer section C shown cornprises two horizontal rows of split rolls |35 onto which 'the plasterboards are discharged by the conveyor belts SG and along which they coast i' until they engage the angle iron 25 o rfthe 4operating levers yfor the switches |23, |24. The rolls |35) are vsplit in .the manner shown in the drawings s'o .that .they will better handle different size boards; Obviously any other suitable roll ar- Y rangement may be employed.

In operation, 4one or more of kthe boards upon tho table .C may be loading other boards thereon', in which event it is possible that all' ofthe boards would not reach or substantially reach the right: hand end of the discharge table if the rolls 'were not split because the rolls lengaged `by the rst board to reach the angle iron Y |25 would immer, diately stop rotating when the board lstopped moving. With the split roll construction shown,

the fact that one of the plasterboards is ahead* of others `will not ordinarily prevent the latter from continuing its forward movement after the first board has stopped because the probabilities are that the other board will be resting v`upon other rolls or other sections of the same roll. c

The rolls |39 are rotatably 'supported by suitable bearing brackets |32 connected to the I1ongitudinally .extending angle irons |33 =to |36, 'inelusive, supported upon .the upper iianges of transversely extending -.beamsA |31, |38, |39 located adjacent to the center and opposite ends of Athe table and which I- beams are, :in turn, supported on longitudinally yextending front and rear I-beains A45. 14,6 carried-by va plurality :of

'iron |25 the positionV shown in full lines.

when the latch pin' ses removed, the members |50 'and the angle iron |25are free to rotate about the-pins 52 untilthe members |55 engage stops |54 on the angle irons |33, |36, I n this position, the angle Viron |25 is below the horizontal plane ofthe top of the'rolls |35 and; the plasterboards delivered onto the table are allowed to discharge off the right-hand end of the device. 'Ifhefstlop |54 on the near or operators sideof the machineis in the form of a normally "closed switch, the'foperating lever of which is actuated to open the contacts thereof by the member l5!) whenmoved to the position shown in clot-dash lines in Fig. 1Q. The purpose of the switch |54 will be hereinafter referred to.

AS tliorlostorlooardo oro discharged ovortho rights-hand end of the device, the switches ,|235 |24' oro actuated thereby to energize tho relay l?! and brook the holding orouitforithe relay 81 so 'that a succeeding'deolfyvillloo dischargedt Will be noted that tho actuating orms'fortllo Swtohos |23, 1.24 only slielitlybeloyy the borrzontal plano of the, upper surface of the rollo 3 0 ami are., thoroforoin @position to be engaged by .therlostorboaros as they tilt .Slightly 'when leavingtho rollo! i With the anglo iron |25 in the position Voliowrl in dot-flash lines in Fie. 1.0? tho combination dis: Charge and transformation .thus for described is merely a discharge table upon which tho plastorboards are automatically delivered in a p 'relef Perm ed Soquence by the Ydelivery apparotuls como nog the drive section A and ,the oom/oy: ing ,section B, As the pl'asterboards are dis.- clloreed from the right-hand ond of the tabla tlioymay be removed .by hand or' in any. desired mllll, y as by ,suitable conveying mechanism or the like. Alternatively the material may 4 be def lil/oro@ toorly Suitable decorators, such as! o' onoh or plasterboard breaker' similar to 'the aker :disclosed and Claimed in my ioslecl l? en t Noglll.' "1li addition tothe' transversely oxtendinsfsolit v rolls .previously described. tho .Combnotioldiocharge and transfer table comprisesia plurality 'fftransyersely extending endless belts I enolrolris Pulleys lll, 'lli xod to longitudinally 'egtending 'shafts |1473, `I 'I4 located at opposite sides of the table and rotatably Supported v.by suitable boorlngrbrookots H5. H26 Connected to opposite ends of the transversely oytoodins I-.booms 1131 |3 and 139. The shaft |73 is adapted to be intermittently rotated'by any electric lI notor` |11 located underneath lthe tab-le and connected to a gear reduction H6 bya sprocket chaindrive S86, which vgea .rreductio1f1 is, in turn, connected to the fslflaft' |jl'3 by a, sprocket chain drive 8`| The center portions oi the top reaches of thebelts Htl are adapted to be periodically 'raisedto trans-V fer' plasterboards resting Hilton the Yrol 1ers"|3|) transversely of the table 'by a-plurality of -beams 8'2.extending longitudinally of the belts directly benea-th the top reach thereof. *Thel I-beam`s :|82 are .supported -on longitudinally 4extending angle irons |83 connected to brackets |84, which brackets are, in turn, pivotally connected to horizontally extending arms of bell'crank levers |85 keyed to transversely extending shafts |86 rotatably supported by bearing brackets |81 connected to the longitudinally extending I-beams |45, |46.

Both shafts |36 are connected together so that they rotate in the same direction and at the same time by rods |96 connected to the downwardly projecting arms of the bell crank levers |85. The shafts |86 and al1 of the bell crank levers are simultaneously rotated by a fluid pressure actuated motor |9| located underneath the table and connected to the longitudinal In-beam |46 by suitable brackets, the piston rod of which motor is connected to the left-hand shaft |86 by a lever |92. The construction is such that when pressure is admitted to the right-hand end of the fluidl pressure motor' |9I, the shafts |86 are rotated in a clockwise direction to raise the longitudinally extending angle irons |83 and, in turn, the transversely extending I-beams |82 underneath the top reaches of the belts, thus raising 'the cross belts |10 and any boards'resting upon the rolls |30 until the boards are free of the rolls.

The supply of fluid pressure to and from the motor |9| is controlled by a solenoid operated air valve, the solenoid |95 of which is connected in series circuit with normally open contacts of a relay |96, the operating solenoid |91 of which relay is connected in parallel circuit with the, operating coil |22 of the time delay relay |2|', from which it follows that simultaneously with the actuation of the time delay relay |2| to break the holding circuit for the relays 8| of the drive section A, the fluid pressure motor |9|' will be actuated to raise the cross belts. As the cross. belts are raised, a holding circuit for the operating solenoid |91 of relay |96 is established by the closing of the normally open lower contacts of said relay, which circuit maintains the solenoid |91 energized even though o ne or both of the switches |23, |24 open as a result of the plasterboards being moved away from the same, or, as aresult of the push button' switch |26 being released.

The circuit to the motor |11 which drives the cross belts is established simultaneously with the energization of the solenoid |95 by the closing of the normally open intermediate contacts of relay |95, which contacts are connected in series circuit with the operating solenoid 202 of a motor f controller 293 for the motor |11. The cross-belt motor |11 -is stopped by vthe opening of the normally closed switch 205 adaptedto be temporarily opened by a' lug,'not shown, connected to the sprocket 'chain' of the 'sprocket'chaindrive |8| for the cross belts. vThe construction is such that vthe movement of the cr'ossbeltsis automatically vstopped when Vthey llave-moved av sufficient distance to transfer the plasterboards v fromabove the'r'olls |304 of the discharge table to the pivoted arms201 projecting to the front v or near side of the table, as viewed in Fig. l. The motor |11'is provided with a spring-engaged solenoid released mechanical brake, the solenoid 208 of which is connected in series circuit With an' auxiliary; set of normally'open contacts on the motor controller- 203',-which contacts are closed. simultaneously with'the closing ofthe main Acontacts of the motor'controller so as to release the brake while the motor is operating.

vl'The-upper surface of thev arms "201, of which there aresixin theembodiment shown, are pro'- moves thereover.

vided with a plurality of free running rolls 2|0 over which the plasterboards coast or can beA readily moved by an operator to some suitable receiving apparatus, such as the tape machine E, where the edges of successive pairs of boards.

For this purpose, the rear ends of the arms 201.

are pivotallyA connected to the longitudinally extending shaft |13 and each arm is connected intermediate its ends by a pitman 2|| to an f eccentric or crank 2|2 on a longitudinally extending crankshaft' 2|3 rotatably supported in suitable bearing boxes 2 |4 connected to the front. The crankshaft 2 3 legs |41 of the table proper. is adapted to be periodically rotated one revolution by an electric motor 2|6 located underneath the table proper and operativelyconnected to the crankshaft 2|3 through the medium of a gear reduction 2|1 and a sprocket chain driveA ating lever of which switch is actuated to close,

the circuit therethrough by a cam 22| on a short shaft 222 rotatably supported by one of the armsA 201 and provided with a ratchet wheel 22,3 adapted to be periodically rotated by a .pawl 224V pivotally connected to an upwardly extending arm 225, which arm is, in turn,,pivotal1y connected to the shaft 222.

theplasterboard and is so constructed that itis rotatedapproximately 45 vas each plasterboard The arm 225 is-.continuously urged to. its normal upright position by a tension spring 226 connected thereto and to -the arm 201.

shown, it rotates one-eighth of a revolution Yas each board moves onto the arms 201 andsince the cam has four high points,` the circuit through the switch 220.15 closed as alternate boardslnove- The switch 2201s in series cironto the arms. cuit with the operating solenoid 221 vfor the motor controller 220 for the motor. 2|6. After the switch 220 opens incident to the plasterboardbeing moved away from the same, the circuit` to the operating solenoid 221 of the motor controiier 22s 1s maintained closednntii the crankclosed while the crankshaft 2| 3 makes a complete revolution by a cam 23| on the crankshaft,

the periphery of which cam engages the actuating arm of the switch 230.

The free end of each of the projecting arms 201 is provided with a member 232 having a" transversely extending groove 233 in the upper fside thereof, which member is fixed to a short lever 234 rotatably supported in the end of the arm by a pin `235. The lever 234 is continuously urged in a counterclockwise direction asviewed in Fig. 1 1, bya spring 231connected to the lower and to the upper end of ,a lever 240 pivotally .connected to the arm 201 adjacent the shaft |13.

vstarted by the',

The upper end of ther arm A225 projects into the path of movementof..

The cam 22| has four high points, from which it follows that with the construction 11 The lever 240 normally assumesa substantially vertical position and its pivotal connections with the link 238 and the arm 207 are Ylocatedabove and below the horizontal plane of the shaft |13 whereas the pivotal connection of the link 238 with the arm 234 is approximatelyin said plane.

The lever 240 is provided with ak roller 24| con nected thereto approximately midway between its ends, which roller is held in continuous engagement with a cam member 242 by the spring 231.. The cam member 24'2 is connected to the underside of the angle iron|33 and the freeend thereof which projects between the arm lever 24U and the shaft |73 is so shaped that upon initial movement of the arm in a downward direction, the roller 24| rides up on a raised arcuately-shaped cam surface, with the result` that the lever 23 4 is rotated in a` clockwise direcf tionto project the memberl 2 32 Vinto thepath ofv the pla'sterboard,v thus causing the lower end ,of theplasterboard to engage within the groove 233. When the arms 291 are at their lowestposition,

the yoperator can easily swing the upper edge` of the plasterboard forwardly and as the arms return to theirhorizontal positions, the board is delivered tothe taping machine with its opposite side up. Y

When short boards are beinghandled by the transfer apparatus, it j is preferable to use only the arms 201 which areengaged thereby and to move the arms not being used to an inoperative position, In themachine shown, this is accomp lished by disconnecting the pitmans 2| I for the arms not being employed from their eccentricsv 212. Accordingly, the bearing Acaps of the pitmans 2|| 'for the three lefthandarms'ZDl, as viewed in Figs. '6 an d '7, arejheld in position 'by wing nuts so that they can be readily removed when desired. When the p itmans are ,disconnected from the eccentrics, the arms 201 associated therewith drop to a Vertical position and are outof the way of the operators, etc.

As an alternative construction the arms 201 may be normally held in a horizontal position by spring means so adjusted that the weightlof the plasterboards is suiicient to cause the arms to drop down as Athe boards Amove thereon. In this event the "boards which are not to be turned are caught by hand and moved into the taping ma'- Chne, etc- The apparatus disclosed is especially designed fornunlo'ading a continuous drier into Whidhtlie plasterboardsare fed by a tipple loader.y vThe boards `enter the drive section A in a predetermined sequence, therefore, the switches 83 are actuated in sequence and the decks of thefd-rve section unloaded one after theother. If Vthe delivery apparatus is intended to be used with multiple deckapparatus wherein allor la plurality `of the decks of the drive section are loaded simultaneously, a cam-operated cycle. switch driven in. timed relation to some'suitable parto'f the machine, .such as, the conveyor belts 90, may be employed in place of the switches 83.

Y I Summary of operation In. describing the operation of the apparatus,

further assumed that the cycle of operations commences with theboards entering the top deck of the drive section, hereinbefore referred to as deck a. It is tobe understood, however, thatthe cycle v`of operations may commence with any I deck and progress, eitherin an upward or downthe startpush button switch 243 connected in series vwith, the operating solenoid 244 of motor controller 245v across the power lines Irl, When the start push button switch is depressed, acircuit is established energizing the solenoid 244; closing the normally open main contacts of the motor controller, which contacts connect the motor `25 to the power lines L-I, L-2 and L-3. A holding-circuit is established for the solenoid by the closing of a parof auxiliary contacts simultaneously with the closing of the main contactsof the motor controller. A stop push button switch 246 connected in series circuit with the start push buttonswitch 243, may be depressed at any time to stop the machine. As the liirst plasterboardslto enter deck ci approach the right@ handend 'of the drive section, the leading edge or edges thereof engage o-ne or more of the arms qcarried by the transversely extending shaft 87a to close the normally openswitch 83a. When the switch 83a is closed, it energizes the operating solenoid 82a, of relay 8|a closing the normally open upper contacts thereof and energizing the operating solenoids 'H a, '18a` of the solenoidoperated valves 19a., 80a which control the uid pressure motor 7||a. A

Simultaneously withfthe closing of the normally open contacts of relay 8|a, previously referred to, a holding circuit is established which maintains the operating solenoid of the relay energized even though the switch 83a subsequently opens upon the boards in thedeck a being discharged into the conveying section. Upon energization vof the operating solenoidsior the valves 19a, 8 0athe direction of flow ofliuid pressure t'o themotor 10a, is reversed and the clutch A'34a energized,` wh'ereuponthe rolls ci the deck ci are driven to deliver the plasterboards therein to the conveying section B. yAt the same time that the Voperating solenoids 'H a, 18a are energized to actuate the rolls of deck a, the

' switehessab, asc, .Haasse and asf for the 'other decks are rendered inoperative by the opening of live normally closed contacts of relay 8|a, which contacts, are lin series circuit with the switches 831; to asf, inclusive.v ,The fact that the switches 831) to 831, inclusive, are rendered inoperative simultaneously with the driving of the rolls vof the deck a, prevents a second board being discharged by the drive section .A into the conveying section B until the holding circuit for the relay ,8| a is broken by the boards reaching the end of the discharge table formed by the rolls z and closing the normally open switches |23,

When the boards are discharged from deck `u of thedrivesection A into deck a :of the "conveying section B, they travel down the free .running rolls I 3c to the belts '90 which carry them to the rolls |30 of the discharge table, over 'which they coast to the end of the table and into engagement with the switches |23, |24. The vrolls |30 'are split so l,that in the Nevent one board of the -pair is trailing the other, -itsvforwardzmova ment will not be Stopped simultaneously 'with theforward movement of the leading board, thus permitting both boards to y'align vthemselves `at the end of the discharge 'table "and close :both switches |23, |24.

When both switches |23, |24 are closed, a circuit is established "energizing the operating solenoid |22 of a time delay relay |2|,the normally closed contacts of which are in series circuit with the holding circuit for all of the; The actuation of;

relays Bla. to 8| f, inclusive. the time delay relay |2| breaks the holding circuit'for relay 8|a, permitting the next deck to discharge into the conveying section, If for some reason both switches |23, |24 arenot closed by the boards moving through the apparatus, the operating solenoid |22 of the time delay relay |2| can be energized by the manual control push button switch |26. The speed of the apparatus is preferably so adjusted by means of the variable speed transmission 26 that the pair of boards discharged from deck aactuate the switches |23, |24 as the leading edges of the pair of boards in deck b reach the armsf88b; in other words, the boards are shot out of the drive section, so to speak, at such a speed that they travel to the end ofthe discharge table while the boards in the drier, etc., are traveling a distance of approximately three-quartersof a foot. If the drive section A is timed or synchronized with the tipple loader in such a manner that the boards are discharged from the drive section at the same rate at which they are loaded into the drier by the tipple loader, it will be apparent that the apparatus will work smoothly and continuously. y

Simultaneously with the energization of the time delay relay |2| which relay after an interval breaks the holding circuit for relay 8|a to permit the delivery of a pair of boards in deck b of the drive section, the solenoid |91 of relay |96 is energized to close the normally open contacts thereof, the closing of which establishes a holdingcircuit for therelay and energizes the` actuating solenoid |95 of the solenoid control valves for the air-operated hoist motor 9|. The holding circuit formed by the lower set of contacts of the relay maintains the operating coil |91 energized after the switches |23, |24 open or after the push button switch |26 is released. The admission of air under pressure to the hoist motor |9| upon energization of the operating solenoid |95, actuates the motor |9| to raise the upper reaches of the belts |10 and lift the plasterboards off' the rollers |30. Simultaneously the closing of the intermediate contacts of relay 9S energizes the operating solenoid 202 of motor controller 203 for the motor |11 which drives the belts |10 and releases the solenoid released brake attached to the motor by the energization of the solenoid 208 thereof.

The motor |11 continues to operate until the sprocket chain drive |8| makes a complete revolution, at which time a lug thereon actuates the switch 205 to break the holding circuit for the relay |96 deenergizing the motor controller 203, disconnecting the motor |11, and deenergizing the solenoid 208, allowing the brake for the motor to be applied. While the sprocket chain drive |8| is making its complete revolution, the belts 10 move a sufficient amount to transfer the boards from above the rolls |30 onto the arms 201. As the first board moves onto the arm 201, operators at opposite ends of the transfer table slide the same from the arms onto the taping machine. As the second board moves onto the arms 201, the leading edge thereof actuates the lever 225 to close the switch 220 and energize the operating solenoid 221 of the motor controller 228, the energization of which starts the motor 2|6. The motor 2|6 rotates the crankshaft 2 I3 oscillating the arms 201, whereupon thev second board is turned upside down as it is transferred to the taping machine. As the arms 201 reach their lowest position, the operator or operators swing the upper edge of the Vboard towards the taping machine and help to guide the board as the arms return to their upper'r position. When thev crankshaft 2|3 has'madel a complete revolution, the circuit to the solenoid 221 of the motor controller 228 is broken by the opening of a switch 230, the actuation of which switch is controlled by a cam 23| on the crankshaft 2|3.

,Concurrently with the deenergization 'of the motor |11 which drives the belts |10 incident to the opening of switch 205 which opens the holding circuit for relay |96, the solenoid 208 is deenergized reversing the control valve for the hoist motor |9| and allowing the upper reaches of the belts |10 to return to their normal position.` At, about the same time, the second pair of boards is Vdischarged from the drive section vAv into the conveying section B, which boards reach the discharge table after the belts |10 have returned to their normal position. The time interval between the closing of the normally open switches |23, |24 and the delivery of a second pair of boards into the conveying section is controlled by the time delay relay |2 the normally closed contacts of which do not open to break the holding circuit for the relay Bla until after a predetermined interval, which interval can be varied as desired.

The cycle of operations is the same with respect to all of the decks and will continue so long as the apparatus is in operation and receiving boards from the gravity roll section D. As previously stated, the plasterboards delivered to the discharge table may be discharged over the right-hand end thereof rather than by way A of the arms 201, etc., by moving the angle iron |25 to the dot-dash line position shown in Fig. l0. In this event, the boards do not stop on the rolls but continue their movement and asI the relay |96 remains inoperative prevents thel hoist motor |9| and the motor |11 which drives the belts |10 from operating.

.As previously stated, the delivery apparatus comprising the drive section A and the conveying section B, can be used with or without the combination discharge and transfer section C and, in like manner, the combination delivery and transfer section C can be used with other types of delivery apparatus. Broadly speaking, the delivery apparatus is a device for unloading a multiple deck apparatus and delivering the material handled at a predetermined location in a predetermined sequence, and the combination discharge and transfer section is an apparatus for receiving material delivered thereto in a predetermined sequence and transferring it to another position while turning alternate pieces of material.

From the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be apparent that the objects heretofore enumerated and others have been accomplished and that there has assises been'provided on'automatic ldelivery apparatus for unloading multiple deck :devices and/or novel discharge :and transfer 'mechanism which will turn alternate plasterboards as they are delivered to-apredetermined location. VWhile the preferred scope of my invention, and it is my intention to hereby cover all adaptations, modications and uses thereof which come within the practice Vof those skilled in the art to which the invention relates and within the spirit .and vscope o'f the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim is:

1. rIn equipment for handling plasterboard and the like delivered thereto in predetermined relation, Vthe combination of a conveyor, power means for actuating said conveyor, said means being controlled by the presence of material above said conveyor, a pivoted member adjacent to the discharge end of said conveyor and adapted to receive material delivered thereto by said conveyor, power means for oscillating said pivoted member, yand means actuated by the presence of material von ysaid member for actuating said last-named means as alternate articles only are delivered to :said member.

2. In apparatus for handling plasterboard and the like delivered thereto in predetermined relation, the combination of an apparatus comprising a plurality of rolls adapted to receive material delivered thereto and transfer the same to a predetermined position, an endless belt conveyer adapted to raise material resting on said rolls free of the latter and move it in a direction 'at right angles to its path of movement on said rolls, means for actuating said conveyor, said means beingV controlled by material on said rolls reaching a predetermined location, a pivoted member adjacent to the discharge end of said conveyor and adapted toV receive material delivered thereto by said conveyor, means foroscillating said pivoted member, and means actuated by the presence of material on said member for actuating said last-named means as alternate `articles only are delivered to said member. Y

3. vIn equipment for 'handling plasterboard and the like delivered thereto in predetermined relation, the combination of a conveyor, power means for actuating said conveyor, said means being controlled by the presence of material above said conveyor, a movable member adjacent tothe discharge end ci said conveyor and adapted Ito receive material delivered thereto by 'said conveyor, power fmeans for moving said movable member so as to'turn or partially turn material thereon, and automatic vmeans for actuating said j'lastnamed means as alternate articles only` are Adelivered to said member. v

A4. In apparatus for handling plasterboard and the like delivered thereto in predetermined relation, Vthe combination of an apparatus comprising a plurality of rolls-adapte`d to receive material delivered thereto and transfer the same toa predetermined position, an endless belt conveyor adapted to raiseY material resting on said rolls free of the latter and move it in a direction at right angles to its path of movement on Asaidrolls, power means for actuating said conveyor, said means being controlled lby Vmaterial on said rolls reaching-a predetermined location, a movable member adjacent 'to the discharge end of said conveyor and adapted to receive material delivered thereto by said conveyor, power means for moving saidmovable member so as to turn or partially turn material thereon, and means `for automatically actuating said last-named means as alternate articles only are delivered to said member. Y

5. In `equipment for handling plasterboardanc'i` the like in unit sheet form delivered thereto in predetermined order, a conveyor adapted to handie or convey a plurality-of sheets in tandem relationship, power means for actuating said conveyor, a movable member adjacent to said conveyor and power actuated to turn or partially turnV a sheet delivered thereabove 'by Isaid conveyor, `and means for automatically actuating said kmember to turn or partially turn alternate sheets handled or conveyed'by said conveyor.

CLARENCE E. PARKER.

.REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record inthe file of this patent:

France June 8, 1935 

